In the documentary film, The Story of Stuff, Annie Leonard examines our national obsession with stuff and how it all began. She attributes our consumption addiction to the post-World War III economic policies that propagandized the notion of buying stuff. Our insatiable appetites haven’t been able to stop since.

That is, until now.

With the decline of the economy – whether directly affected or not – we have all started to take pause before making a purchase. More importantly, we are beginning to take inventory of the stuff that we do have. Even more so, we are beginning to feel taken over by all the stuff that we have accumulated over the decades, which is why so many of us are having the urge to purge or declutter our homes.

But is it as easy as making some runs to Goodwill?

Of course not.

Why?

We have become addicted, or emotionally attached, to our stuff.

Buying and accumulating stuff is just another way to distract ourselves from our present lives. Like cigarettes or alcohol, our stuff is a quick fix to feeling good. But when the high wears off, we are left with an icky feeling. But we need the icky feeling so that we can punish ourselves and perpetuate our guilt. And then we need the high again so that we don’t feel the pain, and the circle continues.

Is this an overreaction to buying a new toaster?

Maybe. But consumption can be an addiction (or at the least an emotional attachment) that, unlike cigarettes and alcohol, is hard to recognize because it is so affirmed by our friends, family, media, and government.

So how do we detach from our stuff?

Awareness is power. Knowing what and why we are attached to our stuff or certain items will oftentimes break the emotional attachment with our stuff. For some of us, having a lot of stuff is simply a distraction from our everyday life.

A cluttered space results in a cluttered mind, which is exactly what some of us want, at least subconsciously. In the same way alcohol makes things fuzzy, having a lot of things in your space will do the same. And on some level, that is the desired outcome.

For many of us, it is certain items that are difficult to part with. It may be books and magazines for some or old pictures, clothes, gifts, collections, etc. for others. Either way, if you don’t love an item or don’t use it, then it is time to part with it.

If you are still having resistance, then it’s time to acknowledge an emotional attachment to the item(s). Here’s what to do….

Start asking yourself questions.

What am I feeling right now?

What memories does this item bring up?

Who gave it to me?

Why did I originally buy it?

Who does it remind me of?

Do I feel guilty getting rid of this item? If so, why?

Why?

Why?

And Why?

Be your own detective… or therapist.

It’s never just about the item, it’s about the emotion the item holds.

Get to the root of why you are hanging on to an item that you know would be in your best interest to get rid of. You may be surprised. What you thought was just an old hairbrush may actually be a reservoir of past emotions that you and your sister shared when she helped you get ready for prom. Or maybe the green gingham shirt with the price tag on it conjures up guilt for buying things that are on sale and never wearing them. Until acknowledged, the shirt will hang in your closet serving only to attract the pattern for more guilt.

And so it’s not about detaching from the item, per se.  It’s about acknowledging and FEELING THE EMOTION that you have stored away in this item. MAKING PEACE WITH IT in the form of crying, forgiving, remembering, resolving, etc.  AND THEN MOVING ON.

Once you have awareness around an item, you will be amazed at how easy it will be to let go of it. If you have the awareness but still don’t want to get rid of the item, then it may simply be too early. See how you feel the next round of decluttering.

To start the process of decluttering, I recommend working in baby steps with attainable goals as I set out in my book, 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home. You will build up the confidence that will keep you going through the long haul. Once you realize that life will go on with fewer items, you will not only want to clear out more stuff, but will start to feel free.

And when you feel this sense of freedom you know you have mastered the art of detaching from your stuff.

Last Thursday, Discover Magazine published the article “Disordered environments promote stereotypes and discrimination.” The article examines a study by Dutch researchers who performed five experiments on stereotyping and discrimination. All five of the experiments strongly concluded that when an environment is in disarray, people yearn for order and hastily attempt to put information they’ve gathered from their surroundings into categories. This leads to harsher stereotypes against minority populations and higher incidence of crime. The experiments also found that people are more relaxed, open-minded, and generous when their world is orderly.

When our surroundings are full of chaos — be it dirt or uncertainty — we react by seeking order, structure and predictability. Stereotypes, for all their problems, satisfy that need.

The study continues:

“The message for policy-makers is clear: One way to fight unwanted stereotyping and discrimination is to diagnose environmental disorder early and to intervene immediately by cleaning up and creating physical order. Signs of disorder such as broken windows, graffiti, and scattered litter will not only increase antisocial behavior, they will also automatically lead to stereotyping and discrimination. Investing in repair and renovation, and preventing neighborhoods [from falling] into disarray, may be relatively inexpensive and effective ways reduce stereotyping and discrimination.”

The testing methods were very interesting, so I recommend checking out the full article for details.

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

How many times have you cleared clutter only to be appalled by the amount of stuff you are contributing to a landfill. Feelings of guilt arise. Between being dismayed by the amount of stuff you have accumulated and the remorse of contaminating Mother Earth, clearing clutter oftentimes becomes a project of procrastination, or worse, a permanent avoidance.

If this resonates with feelings you’ve had at some point, then help is on the way… there is no longer an excuse to put off clearing clutter. We will use the Reduce Reuse Recycle mantra as our guide for the best ways to clear clutter and be green.

REDUCE

The Number One best thing about clearing clutter is that once it’s gone, once you realize just how much you have accumulated, and once you realize how little you really need, then you are so much less likely to consume as much in the future. Clearing clutter reduces future consumption. In fact, after clearing out your clutter, you will feel so much lighter that you will not want to re-clutter your space. And when you do get the itch for something new, you will be oh so much for choosy in what you purchase.

REUSE

The second tier of being green is to Reuse. In my 5 Step Guide to Clearing Clutter, I recommend separating your items into piles: trash, recycling, returns, donation, and ‘for sale’ items. Those items designated as donation and/or ‘for sale’ are actually on their way to being reused. Congratulations! So, take the time to sort these out. For any items that you want to sell for extra cash, then list them on craigslist.com or ebay. If your item(s) doesn’t sell, then your price is too high or it’s ready for either a garage sale or Goodwill.

Garage sales can be a fun way to get rid of a large volume of items that would otherwise take too long to sell online. In just 4 – 6 hours you can dramatically unload your inventory and make money doing it. Whatever items are left over, pack them up and donate to Goodwill, Salvation Army, ARC or any local charities that accept donated goods. Just make sure that these items are reusable and not items that should be in the next category: recycle. (For example, your favorite sneakers from 1988 that have holes and worn-out souls should not be reused! )

Freecycle.org is another great way to have your items reused. Just list your item and have someone who needs it come and pick it up for you. No hauling. As they say, one (wo)man’s trash is another (wo)man’s treasure!

RECYCLE

Now that you have pared down your items to those no longer reusable, it’s time to recycle. So many more items are recyclable than you may think. If you don’t already recycle paper, glass, aluminum, and plastic on a regular basis, then start now. Every major city has recycling centers if they don’t already pick up at your home. Research what services your city already offers. You may be surprised. (I just learned that Nashville.gov sells 80-gallon compost bins for $40!)

What about those items that aren’t readily recycled? Earth 911! That’s right, go to www.earth911.org

Earth911 is your one stop source to finding what you can recycle and where — from mattresses to computer monitors to eyeglasses. Simply search by your zip code. It’s incredibly easy and informative!

Another option is the businesses from which the items originally came from. Here are some examples:

Dry Cleaners. For example, do you have a ton of dry cleaner’s hangers and plastic bags? Chances are they will not only take them back, but reuse them. If they don’t, consider taking your business to a greener dry cleaner.

Computers. The same is true for most computer companies. Computers contain a number of harmful chemicals, so it’s important to make sure they’re properly recycled.  Most major computer manufacturers now offer some type of recycling program. Dell will recycle any Dell product for free, and if you buy a new Dell, they’ll recycle any other brand of computer for free. Hewlett-Packard, Gateway, Apple and Toshiba also have recycling programs — check their Web sites for details.

Hand-held Devices. Small electronics are full of big toxins. Instead, drop off your old cell phones, pagers and PDAs at Staples stores around the country. The company has partnered with nonprofit CollectiveGood, which collects and recycles the phones. When possible, CollectiveGood refurbishes them and puts them to use in developing countries. Otherwise, the phones and other items are broken down in an eco-friendly process and the metals are separated out for reuse or proper disposal. If there’s not a Staples store near you, you can mail your phone to the CollectiveGood — and even get a tax credit for the donation.  Other office supply stores, such as Office Depot offer recycling options as well.

Athletic Shoes. Nike has a great program that will recycle any brand of athletic shoe through its Reuse-a-Shoe program. You can drop shoes off at any Niketown store or Nike Factory store. The company processes and recycles the footwear to make sports surfaces for basketball courts, tennis courts, running tracks and playgrounds. Right now they’re collecting shoes to make athletic surfaces for New Orleans, to help bring youth sports back to the city as it rebuilds. To date, about 20 million pairs of athletic shoes worldwide have been recycled through the Reuse-A-Shoe program.

So before you throw your stuff in the garbage bin, think about the Reduce Reuse Recycle mantra. With each item consider whether it is reusable and, if not, recyclable. And, before long, you will automatically be reducing. The best thing is that it feels good to be green AND clutter free.

Are you using your children as an excuse for your cluttered home?

If so, you’re not alone.

When I go to people’s home for feng shui consultations, I often hear clients immediately apologizing for their clutter. And then they point the finger at their children (and then their spouse!). While it is true that having a child or children is cause for more things in the house, it doesn’t mean your home has to be cluttered up.

Let’s first differentiate between simply having toys lying around the house AND clutter. For children, clutter would be anything that is no longer being used or enjoyed. And as children quickly grow up and change daily, clutter can pile up quickly. For items sitting around that are not clutter, then those are ripe for organization.

One of the best things about having children is the sense of play that they exude and that’s certainly something you don’t want to lose. With having kids, the perfectly clean zen home is most likely a thing of the past (that is, if you had it to begin with).  That being said, there are some ways to maintain a sense of peace, balance and order in the house without the accumulation of clutter.

1.  Be the Example.  Children learn by watching their parents.  If you keep your personal spaces clean, i.e. your bedroom, then they will already have a leg up.  Or if you are cleaning up, show your child what you are doing even to the point of narrating the process.  Those who are clutter-prone usually had clutter bug parents.  It is a learned trait.  Stop the cycle in your family!

2. Teach Your Child Organizational Skills.  Organization is learned.  It does not come natural for many people, especially more right-brained folks.  So, if you are not the poster child example for your child, then teach them organization.  There are hundreds of books on the topic.  Start with an organization system in their closet, i.e. shoe racks, sweater shelves, etc.  Show them where their dirty clothes go, where stuffed animals go, and where board games go.  Believe it or not, they want to know.

3. Budget in Clean-up time.  Make it a part of your child’s play time as clean-up time.  For example, if they have an hour or two of play-time, dedicate the last 5 or 10 minutes to clean-up time.  This will carry over into all areas of their life for the rest of their life!

4. Make it Fun.  Whenever I mention the “C” word in workshops the look of drudgery comes over the audience.  Clearing clutter does not have to be painful.  In fact, I recommend turning on some good music, pour yourself a glass of wine, and maybe even grab a buddy.  As for your children, it’s all about how you sell it.   Make it fun, upbeat, and positive.  Don’t pass the negative attitude on to your child (or the wine!).

5. Explain the Bigger Picture.  Clearing clutter can be a great teaching moment for children.  Have them help you pack up toys and clothes they no longer use in order to donate to those less fortunate. Children are inherently kind hearted and will enjoy this process.  This will make it easier the next time and the next time until they automatically start collecting unused items.

The bottom line is that children want to live in a clutter-free home. Studies show that they think better, socialize better, and feel better about themselves. In my article, Making a House a Home for Children, I discuss the benefits of a clutter-free home as it relates to the development of children. And with some simple teaching moments from the above list, children will quickly pick up on organizing skills which will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

So the next time you start to point the finger in the household, think about more productive actions you can take. We’ll work on the spouse later!

____________________________________________

Tisha Morris is a certified life coach, feng shui consultant, energy healer, yoga instructor, and author of 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home (Turner Publishing).  For more information, visit www.tishamorris.com.

Also check out the NEW Feng Shui Your Life eWorkbook. NOW AVAILABLE!

One of the best things about being a writer is that there is virtually no overhead. All you pretty much need is a computer and some discipline. However, it is for this reason that a designated office space is often overlooked for writers, not to mention a feng shui-ed office space.

Whether writing fiction or non-fiction, blogs or books, a writer spends her day pouring herself out, emotionally and intellectually, onto paper and into the world. It can be a very vulnerable place. This is one reason why having an office space is so important and, more specifically, having your own office space – a space that is yours and yours alone without distraction.

Location

Writers usually work from home, again, thanks to the low overhead. But, finding adequate office space comes with challenges. If square footage is an issue, then home offices become an afterthought only to find themselves sharing space with a guest room, kitchen table, or the corner of the living room. And so it takes some creative planning of a space to make a home office work for writers.

The first step is to select one location for your workspace. Ideally, this is a designated home office. But, it could be a sitting chair, your bed, or the kitchen table. Whatever the space, it is important that you make this your space. In other words, this is the place you go to write. Similar to meditation, when you use the same space, it will help you drop in quicker to the flow. Also, in doing so, you are making writing a priority.

A note about writing in coffee shops: Some people need the stimulation of other people around them to get motivated to write. For others, however, it can be very distracting. So, experiment and notice what works best for you.

Desk Placement

To recap my article, Feng Shui for the Workplace: Where to Place Your Desk, there are a few things to keep in mind when setting up a workspace. The most important consideration for any office is desk placement. When sitting at your desk, you should be in “Command Position”. Simply put, this is the position that makes you most ‘in command.’ The Command Position emerges from our instinctive need to have visible control of our environment.

The ideal Command Position would be with a view of the door from your chair, a view out a window, and a solid wall behind you.

This may mean moving your desk into the room away from the wall. If this is absolutely not possible, then place a mirror to where you can see the entrance in the mirror. If you do not use a desk, but instead a counter or even your lap, it is still important to face the door entering the room. You want to feel in power and confident in your space – whether you are home alone or working amongst a 100 colleagues in a business office.

In this photo, the writer’s office also doubles as a guest room. The desk faces the door, but is not directly in line with the door (that would result in too much chi energy coming in). It would be better if the window was not right behind her. Why? A wall behind you provides support and for writers in an isolated profession, feeling supported is crucial. Keeping the blind closed is helpful so that there is not a feeling of being exposed.

Clear Clutter

Also notice in this picture the lack of clutter. It is imperative to have an uncluttered space when writing. Our mind is directly affected by our environment. So once you designate your workspace, then declutter it.

Size of Desk

The size of your desk will depend on your preference. Everyone likes or requires a different amount of surface area. For some, an executive-size desk makes them feel more powerful. For others, it’s just another place to collect clutter. I prefer a desk that will fit my laptop, tea, and my cell phone. I work virtually paperless and prefer to keep everything either on my phone or computer.

In this office, you can see that while the desk is relatively small, it takes center stage in my office. It faces the door without being in direct line and not being right in front of the window either. Find a desk or surface that fits your style and is comfortable. If you are physically cramped, then your creative juices will not be free-flowing.

As said in Field of Dreams, ‘if you build it, they will come,’ and so is the case if you designate a workspace that feels good to you. You will be more likely to write, enjoy writing, and be successful in your writing.

____________________________________________

Tisha Morris is a certified life coach, feng shui consultant, energy healer, yoga instructor, and author of 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home (Turner Publishing).  For more information, visit www.tishamorris.com.

Also check out the NEW Feng Shui Your Life eWorkbook.  NOW AVAILABLE!

Do you find yourself constantly striving to find a balance in your life? Because we live in a world of dualities, simple things such as work and play OR complex things such as the energy centers within our body can easily become out of balance. Ultimately all of our challenges come down to BALANCE whether it is stress, relationships, or health. And so is the case within our home.

Feng Shui is all about balance.

Just as yoga is about the breath in the body, feng shui is about the energy flow through your home. Both break up stagnant energy and blocks while bringing about balance. And, as a result, you have more vitality in your mind, body, and home. If your home lacks balance, then there are other areas of your life that lack balance as the two are interrelated

It is for this reason that I am thrilled to launch Feng Shui Your Life eWorkbook.

This eWorkbook was inspired by a workshop that I held, called Feng Shui Your Life. By using the nine sections of the Bagua Map, we would look at all areas of our life and see where they fall within our home. It was fascinating for participants to actually “see” the state of certain areas of their life by seeing it in their house. For example, the kitchen trashcan may have fallen in the Relationship Corner or the toilet in the Wealth Corner making it apparent the current state of those areas for them. I would then provide suggestions on how to improve those areas of their home.

With a combination of improving the energy flow in their home and using conscious intentions and affirmations, positive changes in those areas of their life would follow.

Building on my knowledge, experience, training and intuition as a feng shui consultant and life coach, Feng Shui Your Life eWorkbook will give you all the tools to bring your home and your life back into balance. My objective was to make this eWorkbook the closest virtual experience you will have to hiring your own feng shui consultant AND life coach, combined. I have attempted to provide you the information and practical applications as if I were in your house myself. The eWorkbook is designed to work through it chronologically, similar to a course, but to be done at your own pace.

Feng Shui Your Life eWorkbook is created to help anyone who has an interest in improving the energy flow in their home and their life.

Along the way, you’ll learn foundational principles of Feng Shui and how to directly apply them to your home.

For more information (including a Sample) OR to purchase, click here!

We see it all the time. Sports figures retire, un-retire, re-retire, un-re-retire, and finally retire. If it wasn’t Michael Jordan, it was Magic Johnson, Jimmy Connors, Lance Armstrong, and now Brett Favre.  And while they go through this in front of the world, we all go through a similar struggle without the media attention. This struggle that I am referring to is the attachment to our “identity.”

And as our world undergoes major changes and shifts, most of us will also experience an identity crisis at some point, if not already.

The most common identity attachment is to our jobs whether it be in sports, law, banking, arts, medicine, or any other identifiable category. Typically, the more time and/or energy one puts into it, the greater the attachment to that identity. Take sports figures, for example. They have dedicated their entire life to that sport with an incredible intensity. The same could be true for someone who acquired lots of education in a particular field. Also the amount of income received can bolster one’s attachment to the identity. And, of course, society’s perception of the value of that identity weighs heavily.

In addition to attaching to an identity in the workplace, we also identify with certain role identities. For example, being a mom, being rich, having a great portfolio, driving a jag, being the homecoming queen, being spiritual, being vegan, being a Steelers fan, being the frat guy, and the list goes on. We will find any possible identity to hang on. Why?

We don’t know who we would we be without our identity. Our mind (ego) won’t let us just ‘be’.

The mind, or ego, attaches to an identity in order to categorize, separate, and, ultimately, survive. The problem is that these illusory labels are only temporary. The athletic body fades away, the kids grow up, you get laid off, your portfolio loses its value, or you finally retire. How many times have you seen this? A man works his entire life with hardly ever taking a sick day, he retires, and then suddenly his health deteriorates and/or he just dies. Jack Nicholson’s character in About Schmidt went through a similar experience. Upon retiring from the insurance business, he had no idea who he was, let alone his wife or daughter.

The word “identification” is derived from the Latin word idem, which means “same” and facere, which means “to make.” Therefore, when we identify with something, we are attempting to make it the same as our Self. But the only thing that we can really “be” is our Self.

The job, object, person, or role is just a temporary, illusive substitute which becomes a bottomless pit of seeking happiness.

In the Introduction of Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now, he gives a personal testimony of going from suicidal to enlightenment literally overnight. He attributes this dramatic shift to the loss of identification with anything. He describes this experience of nonattachment as follows:

“A time came when, for a while, I was left with nothing on the physical plane. I had no relationships, no job, no home, no socially defined identity. I spent almost two years sitting on park benches in a state of the most intense joy.” -Eckhart Tolle

While it is unlikely that most of us will experience such a dramatic loss of identification, many are currently grappling with a loss of identity either voluntarily or involuntarily. Many people are voluntarily changing careers after working their way up the ladder for years only to start back at the bottom in a new career. Although it is by choice, it can still be challenging to shed the former identity. In fact, I would guess that loss of identity unconsciously prevents many people from moving out of a career that is not satisfying.

I remember my own experience with this a few years ago. I was transitioning from practicing law to a more fulfilling career of yoga and energy healing. One day, my legal contracting clients suddenly dried up before I got my new career underway. I felt like I had fallen into a crack between two worlds. I suddenly had no identity. And no income.

After making decent money ever since entering the workforce, I had not realized how much “making good money” was part of my identity until it wasn’t there. Even with the ability to meet my expenses through savings, my identity as a money-making attorney was gone and my ego was blown. After a week of mourning, I began to dig deep within myself trying to find something with which to identify. This has often been referred to as “the dark night of the soul.”

The only thing left was my Soul. I realized that my permanent, inner Light is in fact my most valuable asset.

With the current state of the economy, many people are experiencing this same loss of identity.  Like an artist facing a blank canvas, it can be daunting. But this opportunity can be freeing at the same time. Shedding these egoic identifications can be liberating.  The involuntarily loss of identifications are forcing people to dig deep and find their true Self. And what they are finding is their soul. Their heart.

We are living in a time when our heart is our greatest commodity.  Like a compass, it will lead us the way in these times of uncertainty.

If you are someone who has recently lost or losing an identity, either voluntarily or involuntarily, don’t just search for the next one. Instead, use this as an opportunity to find your true Light. And let it guide you to your Soul’s inner joy.

____________________________________________

Tisha Morris is a certified life coach, feng shui consultant, energy healer, yoga instructor, and author of 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home (Turner Publishing).  For more information, visit www.tishamorris.com.

Also check out the NEW Feng Shui Your Life eWorkbook.  NOW AVAILABLE!

Bring balance to your mind body AND home!

Beginning Wednesday, December 1^st, 6:00p C.S.T.

presented by Author of “27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home”

Tisha Morris

Wednesday December 1^st | Feng Shui for Wealth & Prosperity | 6:00 C.S.T.

Want to attract more money, improve your finances, or change your mindset regarding prosperity? Start in your home! Using the Bagua Map, you will locate your Wealth corner, discover your blocks, increase your energy, and improve the flow of wealth and prosperity into your life.

Wednesday December 15^th | Using Feng Shui to Deck the Halls AND Declutter | 12:00 noon C.S.T.

Christmas is a time for celebrating family, getting together with friends, and well lots of clutter! If you feel like you get swept away with the season, then tune in to this webinar. We’ll discuss ways to celebrate the season while maintaining balance in your home and in your life.

Wednesday January 12^th | Feng Shui for the Workplace | 12:00 noon C.S.T.

Want to boost your business, get a promotion, or maybe even a new job? Or perhaps you keep getting passed over for a promotion. If so, then this is the workshop for you! Learn the best way to position your desk so that you will be in your power spot. Discover what may be blocking you and affirm a new sense of abundance. You will leave seeing your office in a whole new light.

Wednesday January 26^th Learn Space Clearing Techniques | 12:00 noon C.S.T.

Want to rid your home of negative and stagnant energy? There is a whole world of invisible energies in our spaces that affect all of us on some level. Learn the importance of space clearing AND how to use space clearing techniques to instantly shift the energy in your home or office. A variety of methods will be discussed and practiced so that you will leave being your own feng shui expert.

A Replay will be available for all those who register!

REGISTER HERE!

_________________________________________________

Tisha Morris is a certified life coach, feng shui consultant, energy healer, yoga instructor, and author of 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home (Turner Publishing).   For more information, visit her website at www.mindbodyom.com

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to be spiritual. There was a time when I really liked thinking of myself as ‘being spiritual.’ But as ‘being spiritual’ has become more mainstream (which I am happy to say) the more I think it’s odd to refer to myself as spiritual. To me that’s like saying, I’m a human being. It’s obvious, isn’t it?

Ultimately we are all spiritual beings having a physical experience. Some of us gravitate toward the spiritual part and others more to the physical. Ideally, we should have a balance of both. As a culture, we have been too much in the physical. Even with regards to religions, very little is discussed as to our being spiritual beings. Several years ago when I started to tap into and realize my spiritual side, so to speak, the pendulum swung in that direction as I too had been too much in the physical world for most of my life. Now I think I am able to strike a balance between both worlds.

“Being spiritual” has become a new identity in our culture. And identities are all about the ego – not our true spiritual nature. Some of the most unbalanced people I meet are the most “spiritual” – at least in identity. Instead I think of myself as a balanced person (or at least what I strive to be).

Balance is really at the heart of everything in our life. And no longer do I think of the work I do as “spiritual” work. As a healer, I’m helping people and spaces to be balanced. In feng shui, it’s all about balancing the energies in a space. And the same is true in energy healing with the body and in life coaching within your everyday life. It’s all about balance. It’s not coincidental that “holistic” means to make whole. Inherent in being whole is to be balanced. Of course, working with energy, per se, could be considered “spiritual”. Or is it science?

I do believe that in being balanced physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, you will inherently radiate your true nature of love. Which is the ultimate goal.

What do you think it means to be spiritual?

____________________________________________

Tisha Morris is a certified life coach, feng shui consultant, energy healer, yoga instructor, and author of 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home (Turner Publishing).  For more information, visit www.tishamorris.com.

Mapquest

As a feng shui consultant, I am always driving to people’s homes. I’ve never invested in any GPS gadgets. Instead I use my iPhone. For a long time, I simply used the map feature that comes standard on the iPhone. It got me where I needed to go. And then I found Mapquest. It is great! You can set it to where you don’t have to keep refreshing the screen. And it also uses vocals if you so choose. Now there is woman who tells me when to turn. And her pronunciation of street names is pretty impressive. I’ve also set it to use interstates whenever possible. It really has everything that you would need. And, yes, it’s free.

Dragon Dictation

There isn’t much I miss about being an attorney. But being able to dictate is one of them. Now with Dragon Dictation, I can dictate emails or for that matter an entire book (by emailing it to myself). It does surprisingly well and is great for when you don’t want to use the miniscule keyboard to type out an email. Between this and Mapquest, that’s two less gadgets I need to have on hand.

Words With Friends

Yes, I am a nerd. This is my favorite game on the iPhone. It’s a great way to connect with family and friends in a really round-about way. It can make bank lines and boring meetings go a lot quicker while sharpening your mind up as well. It is a definite for anyone who loves Scrabble or word games. Feel free to start a game with me…  my WWF name is Tishka.

iFeltThat

If you’re into tracking natural disasters, then this is the app for you. Seriously though, this app shows you up to the minute earthquakes, including all the stats. If you’ve ever wondered if an Earthquake hit your area, then this app is perfect.

Feng Shui Bagua Map

So yes this is shameless promotion. But it really is an app that I use all the time with clients to show them what area of their home is associated with certain energies, i.e. wealth, love, career, etc. You can feng shui your office, home, desk, or your hotel room for those of you on the go. Click here for more info!

Share what Apps that have changed your life…I would love to know!